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Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Second bite at the apple

THE LOVEDAY CONSPIRACY has been in the Amazon Historical bestseller lists for SEVEN WEEKS. For some of the time it was also joined by THE LOVEDAY SECRETS. The excitement just keeps mounting.

For those who missed the new extract from Conspiracy that I had posted on Historical Romance UK blog.Here it is below.

For new readers this is the story background in the earlier books of the series - Japhet Loveday was falsely accused of highway robbery by Sir Pettigrew Osgood, found guilty and transported to th enew penal colony at Sydney Cove. He is now back in England and wants revenge. His cousin Adam also wants revenge on the man he blames for his twin’s death.

Cornwall 1802.

Japhet dismounted and flung the reins at a young groom. Gwendolyn came out of the house and waited for him. There was a look on her lovely face that warned him she had seen through his ruse. He should have known that nothing missed his wife’s concerned eye.‘Another dawn ride, husband. The fifth in three weeks.’‘I could not sleep. The horses need their exercise.’ He dragged his fingers through his black hair that lapped over his collar; unfashionably long, it added to his roguish features and his hazel eyes could melt a woman’s heart by their smouldering intensity.‘With a sword strapped to your saddle?’ Her colour was high as she voiced her anger. Her features were striking rather than beautiful, but Japhet had known many beautiful women who had left his heart cold. Gwen had won his love by her courage and faith that the character of a rogue and reprobate he showed to the world but masked more noble sentiments beneath. That faith had saved him in his darkest hours and given him the strength to prove that she was right. Though there were times when he wished his wife did not know him so well. There was resignation in her eyes when she continued. ‘Are these meetings with Adam? I can guess their purpose.’He shrugged and gave a reassuring grin. ‘Adam and I always practised our swordplay in the old days. It is a sport we both enjoy.’‘And I doubt either of you are doing this for old times’ sake. You promised me you would not pursue Osgood.’ She was trembling in her distress.Japhet took his wife into his arms. ‘I would not break my word to you, Gwen.’She pulled back from him, her eyes accusing, and her skin pale against the rich chestnut of her hair. ‘But this swordplay is not innocent. Adam is capable of calling out Tristan. And you…. You will not let Osgood escape your justice, will you? But we have been home for just a few months.’ Her voice rose in alarm.‘A gentleman should never neglect his fencing skills.’ Japhet was deliberately flippant.She struck his chest with her fist. ‘Do not humour me. I know what you plan. If not this week, this month, this year, or the foreseeable future, but you will not let this matter rest. Forget Osgood. He is a cowardly knave.’‘I am not the only one of our family whom Osgood planned to ruin. Adam said that Osgood’s lecherous eye also singled out my cousin’s half-sister, Tamasine, during a visit she had made to London. When she refused his advances Osgood had tried to abduct her. Fortunately, Tamasine had been rescued by Maximillian Deverell – the man she later married.’‘But that was years ago when you were still on ship to the penal colony.’ She breathed heavily in her exasperation. ‘Tamasine had been staying in London with cousin Thomas. He called Osgood out. Family honour is satisfied. He even scarred the knave’s face in the duel. Since then little had been heard of the baronet. He retired to his country seat to hide his disfigurement.’‘And he was there until last year.’ Japhet announced. ‘He has since disappeared – rumoured to have gone abroad. So you see your fears are in vain. He is out of reach.’Her stare searched his and showed no sign of being reassured. ‘Promise me that you will not seek him out.’He took her into his arms and his voice was husky and seductive. ‘Have I not promised that I will live quietly and concentrate on establishing a racing stables and stud? That is my intention.’ Hi s hand stroked her cheek and his gaze lingered upon her lips before capturing them with his own. There was the briefest resistance before she surrendered to his kiss and he felt her body melt against him. Then with a sigh she pulled away. ‘I will not be sidetracked by sweet words and caresses, my love. Say you will not go after Osgood?’ When he did not immediately answer, she gripped the front of his greatcoat, her eyes beseeching. ‘Promise me, Japhet.’He cupped her lovely face gently in his hands. ‘I certainly have no intention of going off on a wild goose chase hunting him down. But I will make you no false promises, Gwen. If Osgood crosses my path then that is a different matter. But he is not likely to search me out. He has proved himself too craven for that.’He kissed her until he felt her anger melt and the tension leave her body. ‘Do you think that I would risk all that we have for that knave? I am no longer the hothead, the reckless rakehell. You and our sons and this stud farm are what is important.’ His arms held her tight but over the top of her head, his stare was uncompromising.When the time was right Osgood would face his retribution and pay for his treachery.Kate Tremayne

Thanks Carol, I am so excited it is like having an early Christmas. I enjoyed writing Trials, although book 3 in the series it was the first one where I began to inject more mystery and suspense into the stories. That was when the trilogy became extended into the series.

Hi Kate, The Loveday books are always in my Top Ten. In Rge Loveday Conspiracy I loved the way Tristan is now shaping the dynamics of the plots. He is such a complex character with a troubled past that colours his actions, I find him intriguing. I can't wait to see what new exploits he creates in future novels. You never fail to give us a tremendously exciting novel, I recommend them to all my friends. Thank you Kate, for so many great books.

I am so thrilled to find your blog. I have been a Loveday devotee ever since reading Adam Loveday and have all your books. I have been putting up a list of all my favourites on Amazon and have included the Loveday books. Other favourite authors of mine are Barbara Erskine, Anya Seton, Sharon Penman and Phillipa Gregory. What books gave you your love of historical novels? I feel a special link with you as we have the same initials.Karen Turner

Welcome to the Loveday blog, Karen and thank you for your reviews on Amazon. Like you I enjoy Anya Seton, Barbara Erskine, Sharon Penman and Phillipa Gregory. As a teenager I discovered Jean Plaidy and found her books amazing. I also enjoyed the Angelique series by Sergeanne Golan - a great romp of a series through 17th century France. The Catherine series by Juliet Benzoni set in medieval France. They had feisty heroines, passionate romance and great historical adventures, I also read Mary Renault and Georgette Heyer and the unforgettable Poldark series by Winston Graham and Daphnew du Maurier. Frenchman's Creek and Jamaica Inn being my favourites.I also loved Hornblower and the Sharpe books. I suppose those novels laid the foundations for the type of novel I wanted to write and the Loveday series is certainly a dream come true.

About Me

I have been published since 1986 and first wrote historical romances for Mills & Boon, writing as Pauline Bentley - 9 of these were published. Headline then published two blockbuster historical novels as Pauline Bentley. I then became Alison Stuart and wrote six London Sagas. For several years I also wrote a regular How To page for The Writing Magazine and Writers News called Pauline Bentley's Twenty Steps. For the last ten years I have been published as Kate Tremayne writing the highly acclaimed bestselling LOVEDAY family historical Series. I live on the coast in West Sussex with my husband and have two children and six grandchildren and a springer spaniel.